OAKLAND, Calif. — Steve Kerr had butterflies Friday night for his long-awaited season debut coaching the defending NBA champions.

Sure, Golden State’s second-year coach knocked down a half-court shot in Cleveland earlier this week that pointed to him returning to full strength.

He came back to the Warriors’ bench Friday night following a long leave of absence dating to the first week of training camp in October as he recovered from complications following two back surgeries.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time ... I really missed the routine,” Kerr said. “It feels like the first game of the season, which it is for me. Fortunately our team’s in a pretty good groove and hopefully we can keep going. “

When introduced just before tipoff against the Pacers, an emotional Kerr waved and said, “Thank you,” to a rousing ovation.

The defending champion Warriors made the announcement Friday morning that Kerr would coach Golden State against Indiana at Oracle Arena, where the Warriors will try to win their 38th straight regular-season home game to tie the 1985-86 Celtics for third place on the all-time list for such unbeaten streaks. The Warriors went 39-4 in Kerr’s absence. They are 19-0 at home this season and haven’t lost at Oracle since a 113-111 overtime defeat to Chicago last Jan. 27.

“It’s been rough. I’ve gotten a lot better. I feel really good, ready to roll. Can’t wait to be back out there,” Kerr said after shootaround. “Just being on the road with the team it really felt like I turned a corner on this road trip. It’s hard to explain. I’ve known for the last few months that I wasn’t ready.”